[prequality]

I'm quite a fan of them and I've recently got hold of 4 of their albums.

However, I am not very sure if they are underground and if they were, to what extent, or if they are mainstream "K-Indie"?

On a different note, any fans of them among soompiers?

[RACETRAITOR]

When they started they were the main groundbreaking band for all underground music in Korea. Since then they got pretty big and are controlled by kind of a lame manager. Sometimes they play huge stadium shows, and sometimes they play unadvertised shows to a small crowd in the new Drug. They're not what they used to be, and they've lost their edge (we'll see if the new album proves me wrong). But they're still nice guys and are friendly every time I see them.

While they are technically "indie," being on Drug Records which is itself an indie label, their sole reason for existence is to make money. Considering the scope of their career before they joined the army, and the widespread name recognition they enjoy across the country, I'd have to say they're mainstream, but not pop. Kind of like the Korean Green Day. If it were possible for a rock band to not be "indie" and "underground" in Korea, then they wouldn't be.

A few weeks ago their accordion player joined the skinhead band Dirty Small Town on stage for some songs. I dubbed them "Dirty Small Nut."

[prequality]

Thanks for the info, that gave me a bit of a feel for Crying Nut's background.

It is worth noting that the genre "Indie" in Korea is used to classify any band or musical act that sounds rock-ish and alternative. So it's basically either Underground or "Indie" if one were to apply the term within the context of the Korean music scene.

[saharial]

http://www.lkf.cne-uk.com/2006/

they are playing in the UK this weekend
Saturday 20th May at the Mean Fiddler Club, Tottenham Court Road. LONDON
18.00 – 22.00.

[RACETRAITOR]

CRYING NUT: The best punk-rock band in Korea
CRYING NUT have played together for nine years in a band performed at puck-rock club DRUG located near Hong-Ik Univ. in Seoul for the first time in 1996, have created a inde gale and a epidemic of puck-style music. And lots of puck-rock mania thive was formed and their hundreds of incredible powerful gigs and the releases big hit made them settled down as a best band in university town and then finally they jumped up the best popular rock group in Korea.

Comprised of Yoon Sik, Park(G,V), Sang Myun, Lee(G), Kyung Rok, Han(, Sang Myun, Lee(D) and In Soo, Kim(K), this lineup was invited from Fu-Ji Rock festival 2000 and many times of performance in Japan.

The best punk-rock band in Korea? I don't think so. I didn't even know they still claimed to be punk.

[uiyoltan]

The best punk-rock band in Korea? I don't think so. I didn't even know they still claimed to be punk.

Yeah, "best" is a little too strong. Maybe one of the best.

[RACETRAITOR]

Yeah, "best" is a little too strong. Maybe one of the best.

They might make my top ten list. Maybe.

However, I would accept "classic" or "legendary" or even "first."

[quadshock]

first/legendary/classic punk rock band of korea? But I thought you said they weren't punk...

ah whatever.

[RACETRAITOR]

At present, they are definitely not a punk band. They used to be, but then commercial appeal dragged them down.

[saharial]

well the gig they played yesterday at Mean Fiddler, London was really good. I didn't really know what to expect, but i liked it alot - lots of energy and really able to engage the crowd .

[ASAHI]

Oh my god i didnt know Crying Nut came to europe to play in London!!AHH i think i've missed the only opportunity to see they play live ...i want to die!!Do anybody knows if they will do some other concert around Europe ?!Thanxx

[RACETRAITOR]

You can see clips from the show and an interview in Korean here:

http://www.lkf.cne-uk.com/2006/rock-01.php

[uiyoltan]

They might make my top ten list. Maybe.

However, I would accept "classic" or "legendary" or even "first."

Were they first? I don't really know because I'm a novice in the punk-rock scene.

But I think the term that best fits them is "influential."

[RACETRAITOR]

They were the first punk band to rise above the herd. I can't say for sure they were the first period.

They aren't particularly influential today. They have virtually no contact with today's punk scene (at least as a band) and most of the Korean punks ignore them. I don't know who they'd be influential over.

[uiyoltan]

They were the first punk band to rise above the herd. I can't say for sure they were the first period.

They aren't particularly influential today. They have virtually no contact with today's punk scene (at least as a band) and most of the Korean punks ignore them. I don't know who they'd be influential over.

Well I didn't mean influential as in today. I meant they were influential several years ago. Most mainstream punk bands (or any mainstream artist for that matter) don't have contact with underground scene anyway, so I'm not surprised they don't have any contact with the punk scene.

Isn't it kind of contrary for a punk band to turn mainstream? I mean, isn't the punk scene defined by their underground roots? yeah I'm not very familiar with the punk scene, but that is my assumption.

[RACETRAITOR]

Isn't it kind of contrary for a punk band to turn mainstream? I mean, isn't the punk scene defined by their underground roots? yeah I'm not very familiar with the punk scene, but that is my assumption.

Definitely, which is why there's a bit of distance in there. I remember the lead singer of Couch telling me last year that those guys are his friends, but being on TV ruined them. Another annoying thing is they have a manager who stops them from playing as many shows as they could.

[uiyoltan]

Definitely, which is why there's a bit of distance in there. I remember the lead singer of Couch telling me last year that those guys are his friends, but being on TV ruined them. Another annoying thing is they have a manager who stops them from playing as many shows as they could.

Yeah. I feel that. The media can ruin you in so many ways. There are countless cats that cross over only to find out that they become controlled by managers and labels. And punk music is not popular in the Korean mainstream music industry, so I'm guessing that Crying Nut must have had to have some sort of pop-ish influence in their music in order to please the mainstream.

Come to think of it... I don't think there are any mainstream "punk" bands even in America that remain loyal to their roots. If there is one in Korea (or even America), please enlighten me.

[RACETRAITOR]

Yeah. I feel that. The media can ruin you in so many ways. There are countless cats that cross over only to find out that they become controlled by managers and labels. And punk music is not popular in the Korean mainstream music industry, so I'm guessing that Crying Nut must have had to have some sort of pop-ish influence in their music in order to please the mainstream.

Come to think of it... I don't think there are any mainstream "punk" bands even in America that remain loyal to their roots. If there is one in Korea (or even America), please enlighten me.

The Korean punk scene is very concerned with the roots of punk. They usually ignore the roots of underground music in their own country. And sometimes they place a little too much importance on mainstream American bands, such as Rancid and ska-punk. But most of the bands here hold true to the original spirit of punk and DIY. Basically the scene is too small for poseurs.

I post information about some of these bands on here now and then. The top band right now in this country is probably Suck Stuff. They'll be releasing a new full-length CD soon and the advanced copies of the songs I've heard were amazing.

[uiyoltan]

I post information about some of these bands on here now and then. The top band right now in this country is probably Suck Stuff. They'll be releasing a new full-length CD soon and the advanced copies of the songs I've heard were amazing.

Yeah, I checked out Suck Stuff's website and looked at some of their vids. Pretty good I must say.

[quadshock]

that's the beauty of having a small scene though, and many other places in Asia are in a similar situation right now

and if you're loyal to your roots then isn't it nearly impossible to be "mainstream"